The youth soccer circuit in Southern California is a dizzying array of travel teams, showcases, and tournaments, all with different levels of exposure to professional scouts and college recruiters. Near the top of the hierarchy is the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), which has long been one of the top developmental leagues for the women’s game. Fifty-three ECNL alumni including San Diego Wave’s Jaedyn Shaw participated in this year’s augural Concacaf W Gold Cup, for which San Diego served as a host site. ECNL formed a division for boys in 2017, and on June 25 the boys’ national playoffs kickoff at Del Mar’s Surf Sports Park. The athletes aren’t any older than 19 years old, but it won’t be long until we’re cheering several of them on as they wear the shirts of top university programs, MLS teams, or even the U.S. national team.
United States Police and Fire Championships
June 8-15 | Various venues
As Paris prepares for the 2024 Summer Games, San Diego will be hosting its own Olympic competition. Founded in 1967 by San Diego police officer Veon “Duke” Nyhus as the “California Police Olympics,” the U.S. Police and Fire Championships has grown into a 38-sport competition sprawling across 28 venues throughout San Diego County. According to the California Police Athletic Federation, the organization that stages the annual event, “athletes representing law enforcement, firefighters, and officers from corrections, probation, border protection, immigration and customs from across the country” flock to San Diego for the games. And yes, public safety officers are no more immune to the pickleball mania than the rest of us. Athletes pick up the paddles and help kickoff the games on June 8 at the Barnes Tennis Center.
San Diego Padres vs. Oakland Athletics Baseball Game
Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove is a man of firsts: the first in franchise history to throw a no-hitter, the first pitcher in team history to sign a nine-figure contract, and the first Padre to have his own basketball jersey. That’s right, when the Friars take on the Oakland Athletics on June 11, the first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Joe Musgrove basketball jersey. Who says San Diego needs an NBA team? Unfortunately, Musgrove will be celebrating from the sidelines, as he landed on the injured list on June 1 with elbow inflammation. It’s his second trip to the IL this season, which is proving to be a frustrating one for the El Cajon native. He’s appeared in just 10 games and sports a 5.66 earned run average. Despite these struggles, the Padres hold one of the National League’s playoff spots, and the team hopes to get their ace back sooner rather than later so he can help deliver on another first: the first World Series victory in team history.
The Wave find themselves in an unfamiliar, precarious position. If the season ended today, they would miss the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, as they look up at eight other teams in the standings. While their defense has been outstanding—they’ve allowed the second-fewest goals in the league, thanks in large part to goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s immaculate play—their offense has been anemic. They’ve scored just nine goals in ten games this season, again the second-fewest in the league.
Fortunately, the season doesn’t end today. Star forward Alex Morgan is back from injury after playing 27 minutes in a scoreless draw against Angel City FC on May 23, and newly acquired forward María Sánchez peppered Angel City FC with shots on net. Her first goal in a Wave kit feels inevitable. Following three consecutive away games, the Wave finally return to Snapdragon Stadium on June 28 hoping to get back to their winning ways.
San Diego Legion vs Seattle Seawolves Rugby Match
Saturday, June 29 | 7:00 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium
The San Diego season finale against the Seattle Seawolves could have huge implications on the Major League Rugby playoffs. The top four teams from the Western Conference qualify for the postseason tournament, and the Legion currently sit in third behind the Seawolves. Not only do the Legion want to qualify for the playoffs, giving them an opportunity to avenge last year’s painful one-point loss in the MLR championship, but they also want to leapfrog their rival in the standings. That would ensure the Legion host a playoff game at Snapdragon Stadium. To do so, they’ll have to rein in the Seawolves’ fly-half Mack Mason, who, in fitting rugby fashion, grew up wrangling cattle and leads the league in points scored.
